Evidence and Policy

Sandra Nutley, University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh (Scotland) is organising a seminar series on Evidence and Policy with the University of Iceland, National University of Ireland, University of Oslo and Erasmus University (Rotterdam). The seminars aim to advance international and comparative understanding of the use of different forms of knowledge and evidence in the policy process through a process of sharing of ideas and discussion across these jurisdictions.

Three seminars and a final workshop will:
explore the role of differenc forms of evidence in the policy process and assess the relative weight attached to each of these by policy makers (Edinburgh, November 2007)consider the impact of the social sciences on policy and the impact of evidence-based policy on the social sciences (Rotterdam, April 2008)document the strategies and interventions employed in a range of countries to improve the use of evidence in the policy process and consider any evidence on their effectiveness (Oslo, September 2008)draw out overall conclusions and seek to initiate new comparative research on the role and use of different types of evidence in the policy processes of different countries (Dublin, March 2009).

Coordinator of the seminar series
Professor Sandra Nutley, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, University of Edinburgh

The first seminar ‘Types of knowledge for evidence-based policy’ was held on 26th November 2007 in Edinburgh.

The second seminar ‘The impact of evidence-based policy on the social sciences and vice versa’ will be held 10th March 2008 in Rotterdam.